What is it?
This innovative uniformed public services course provides enriching teaching and learning opportunities to ensure students discover and develop vital skills required to enter employment or further study.
Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?
We will help you to prepare psychologically, physically and academically for a career within our illustrious public services. Whether it is our emergency services, armed forces or an additional service you are seeking to join, you will gain hands-on experience from current serving personnel and ex-serving teachers.
What skills will I develop?
- Communication
- Working with others/ group management
- Empathy
- Confidence
- Leadership
- IT skills
- Presentation
- Analysis & evaluation thought processes
How will I be taught?
- Classes are student led with a variety of activities, guided by outstanding teachers linked to sensitive and real life scenarios.
- Opportunity to have sessions led by the Royal Marine Commandos, RAF and the Armed Forces.
- A good mixture of classroom and practical based.
- Live-learning throughout the course (trips, activities and guest speakers)
How will I be assessed?
All assignments are assessed through coursework with a variety of assessment methods: videos, presentations, blogs and posters.
Teacher expertise
You be led by teachers who have been teaching on the course for 5 years from when the course started, with a vast amount of experience teaching all units on the course.
Outstanding teachers including one with seven years experience as a firefighter. The teaching team also includes a staff member who has been an expedition leader for 6 years working alongside Mountain Rescue personnel during the Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and has previous experience within the Army Reserves.
Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
We are a ‘Live Learning’ course which enables us to have strong links with our employers/partners in which they will help teach and deliver criteria.
- University trips
- International visits
- Prison Service
- Army Reserves
- RAF Centre
- Police stations
- Blackpool Council
- Lions Challenge
- Plus many more across the course.
Where does it lead?
The pathway for development is varied for our learners. Some go to university to do courses such as policing, criminology or health-related courses. Some students go directly into employment with most joining the armed forces and some go on to apprenticeships with organisations such as BAE Systems.
Specific requirements
Standard vocational programme entry requirements.
Equipment
You will need an iPad/other device as part of the Technology for Learning scheme. Course polo shirts.
Examination board
Pearson Edexcel.
Specific requirements
- Standard BTEC Programme entry requirements.
What will I study?
- Communications and technology – you will have radio training and learn the Phonetic Alphabet. You will then work with the Army using technology used in the forces, responding to mock scenarios.
- Discipline in the public services – you will learn basic military drill and will be assessed on your performance during a remembrance day parade in college.
- Outdoor expedition and land-based – you will develop map reading and orienteering skills. During this unit, you will complete outdoor orienteering and hiking, using the skills developed in the classroom. As part of the rock climbing you will develop climbing skills, belaying as well as health and safety skills.